Hello all, I could use some guidance again.

I recently purchased a 1986 300 SDL. I love the car, and I would never consider switching but....

I just saw a 94 350 SDL. Pretty car, and priced really well.

So, what would you do?

The 300 has the original 14 head, but only has 155k on the clock right now. I am not too sure about the 94 yet, I have only looked it over briefly with minimal inspection, but it looks solid (nice interior, no dents). I just did a bunch of work on the 300 SDL (timing chain, ignition switch, radio, speakers, etc.). About the only thing wrong with the 300 is that the passengers seat has a tear in it and there are a few dings on the body.

BTW, is there anything on the 94 I should worry about?

Oh, and if anyone is interested the 300 SDL might be for sale....

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

The only thing to worry about on the '94 is failure of a connecting rod and the subsequent destruction of a cylinder. Other than that possibility, it's a fine vehicle.........if it doesn't bankrupt you in repairs.

I'd keep the '86.

MOWOC where are you located? Is the SDL rust free?

Chris

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

94 S350 is a SWB car. No L but I doubt you'll miss it.

Drive the 94 and decide if it's what you like. I prefer the lazy feel of domesticated 90s MBs to the feral 70s and 80s MBs. I like not hearing an ambulance until it's passing me... kidding!

ACC in the 94 is more complicated than in your SDL. Make sure the ACC works as it should unless you're ready for a lot of expense and downtime. The rest of the car is more complicated as well but nothing education and used parts hunting can't solve.

What kind of a story do the service records of the 94 tell you? Ideally it'll have a recent factory replacement engine which greatly reduces the likelihood of the rods failing.

You'll no doubt be advised to check S320s in the same price range. The same money typically gets you a newer car in better shape. All the virtue, only one vice = premium gasoline!

Sixto
87 300D

Just search "rod bender." That's the sole reason why I'm not driving one of those cars.

Cheers, John

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'98 E300TD (W210) | Sold 6/09 with 205k and counting
'04 VW Touareg V10TDI

If you like the 140 as much as I do and you're handy with a wrench, make arrangements to swap in a 3.0 block if the 3.5 goes south. Chances are a plan alone will ward off the bent rod spirits.

The 3.0 works hard in a 140, as I've learned from this pint sized 124, so you leave earlier and enjoy the ride that much longer.

Sixto
87 300D

I just went and checked out the 94. First, it is a very pretty car. The body is good shape, everything including the Air seems to work. The seats need some work but whatever. Check the odometer and see that it has 196k on the clock. A little high for a 13 year old car but whatever.

Than the fun begins. I open the hood and get the flash light out. Right below the head on the right side is fresh oil. I look further, and it runs along the entire block. I can smell oil burning, but it is faint. First thing I think is Head gasket.

Then I take it for a drive. The front end has got to be going, it seems loose and the alignment is way off. Then I check the temp gauge. It is running higer than my 86 SDL. It is about 95 degrees, where I run around 80 all the time. During the drive, I run it harder than I would normally drive. The thing is anemic. It can barely accelerate up a hill. This confirms my guess about the head gasket or head compression must suck.

I tell this guy that he has at a minimum a bad head gasket and a cracked head at worst. Also, he has a bunch of issues with the front end. "How much to fix that?" he asks. I tell him it would be anywhere from 5k to 7k depending on the engine issue. "That can't be" he tells me, "it never leaks oil". Here is the fun part. When we get back I pop the trunk and find a gallon of oil in the trunk half used.

Well, I guess this not likely my trade up. I like vesuvius too much to part with for this, but my find may not go to waste. I figure I might just be able to get this car with all the problems noted above for 4k. It does run, and the interior/exterior are in pretty good shape. Is there anyone out there that might be interested in this car? This guy is desperate and I am pretty sure I could talk him down a bunch. He wants 7500 right now, but there is no way he will get it from anyone who knows what they are doing.

The car is located in Denver, and I would be glad to facilitate the deal if anyone wants.

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

Actually, he doesn't have a cracked head. He has a condition even worse than a cracked head.

No, there is not.

Do tell! I am curious what is wrong, and what I missed! The oil in the trunk was priceless, but I am no where near an expert on these cars.

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

I gave you a clue in post #2.

The 603.971 engine suffers from bent connecting rod(s)s which eventually ovalize the cylinder and cause significant oil consumption, and loss of power in that cylinder.

Wow, and I figured it was maybe fixable. Too bad, I guess it might be a good parts car.

Thanks all!

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

Oil on the side of the engine is a relative good thing. Better it leaks past the headgasket than past the rings because the cylinder is out-of-round. The original head is not susceptible to cracking. The original head gasket is very susceptible to leaking.

I understand that it's normal for a 140 to run warmer than a 126 but 95 is high unless you're pushing it. Could be something as simple as a dead fan clutch. At 196K miles they're usually dead. On the other hand 80 is low for your SDL. Make sure you have the right thermostat and it's working as it should. I like to see somewhere between 80 and 85 steady state.

The wastegate is controlled by the ECU and any number of things could be preventing boost. I would not worry about that because before I disable the EGR valve I'll switch to a boost controlled wastegate actuator as God intended. If he's the adventurous sort, hook up the wastegate line to one of the small lines coming off the vacuum pump to peg it shut. See if that perks up the car. Note that this engine does not have a separate overboost circuit so drive it only long enough to convince you that it has guts. Don't hold the engine at high rpm!

The front suspension is much more user friendly than in a 126. I'll gladly take the job of replacing bushings and such in a 140 over a 126. Parts cost a little more but there's a lot less muscling and cussing.

What color is it? I might be interested at a clearance price.

Do you have the VIN?

Sixto
87 300D

Do I hear Rodbender?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I haven't been able to lounge around here like I have in the past, Brian, but have you forgotten me already???

Sixto
87 300D

I figured the W124 is going to keep you busy for awhile and another engine swap is the last thing you'd want...........